Heavy window balance assembly



Dec. 19, 1967 D, J. DINSMORE 3,358,403

HEAVY WINDOW BALANCE ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 28, 1966 United States Patent 3,358 403 HEAVY WINDOW BALANCE ASSEMBLY Dawson J. Dinsmore, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., assignor to D. J. Dinsmore C0., Sioux Falls, S. Dak., a corporation of South Dakota Filed Jan. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 523,660 9 Claims. (Cl. 49-445) This invention relates to window sash balance or counterbalance structures and more particularly to an improved window balance assembly particularly adapted for use in connection with heavy windows.

Balance assemblies for various window constructions have taken many varied and complex forms. This is particularly true in connection with preformed and prehung window constructions. The simplified balance assembly which utilizes springs instead of weights has been incorporated into both the prehung and conventional window construction. Such balance assemblies, however, have not been able to satisfactorily counterbalance the present day larger window size and the heavy window sash constructions. The amount of balance available with these units is limited because of the physical size of the spring and the space available for mounting the same. Therefore the heavier windows cannot be adequately balanced or supported in all of its operating positions. The present invention is directed to an improved heavy window balance assembly particularly adapted for use with the new style heavier window sashes which will effect proper positioning of the window sash and maintain the sash in such positions. This is accomplished without increasing the physical dimensions of the spring operated balance units but rather incorporating a plurality of such balance units in a cooperating relationship. Thus in the improved heavy window balance assembly, a pair of such balance units are positioned in an end to end or abutting relationship on one or both side jambs of the window construction and connected to the window sash to properly balance the same and apply suflicient friction to the cord of the balance assembly so that the sash will remain in any position in which it is placed. The improved balance assembly is generally conventional with those currently in use except for a modification of cord guides which facilitate the increase in friction in the balance construction to prevent window creepage. Thus in the improved heavy window balance assembly of the present invention, a pair of window balance units are mounted in a predetermined relationship with respect to a sash and a side jamb of a window casing to efiFectively connect to the sash while maintaining the cord connections substantially concealed. This improves the overall appearance of the window and the operation and maintenance of the same.

Therefore it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved heavy window balance assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a heavy window balance assembly an arrangement which will provide a substantially uniform bias or balance of sash movement.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved balance assembly which introduces a friction drag on the cord to keep the window sash in any desired operating position.

A final object of this invention is to provide an improved heavy window balance assembly which utilizes a simplified balance unit which is simple in design, low in cost and easy to install and maintain.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a single hung window utilizing the improved balance assembly,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the single hung window and easing of FIGURE 1 with parts broken away to disclose the relationship of parts,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the improved heavy window balance assembly taken along the lines 3-3 in FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the balance unit taken along the lines 4-4 in FIGURE 3, and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View of the balance unit of FIGURE 4 taken along the lines 55 therein.

The improved heavy window balance assembly is shown herein applied to a window construction of the single hung type. It will be recognized that the principle of the invention may be applied to double hung windows and the particular window construction may be of a metallic material or wood as desired. Thus in FIGURE 1, the window casing is shown generally at 10, as including a movable sash 12 and a fixed sash 14 respec tively. The movable sash is positioned in the lower position and adapted to be moved vertically upward within the window casing as guided by the side jambs thereof such as is indicated at 20 in FIGURES 2 and 3. A similar jamb 21 or recess is utilized for mouting the stationary window 14 in a conventional manner but for simplicity the balance structure is not shown therein since the disclosure is intended to relate to a single hung window.

In the heavy window balance assembly, the single conventional counterbalance or balance unit does not have sufficient spring rate or bias to offset the weight of the movable sash. To increase the spring size in a single balance unit will necessitate to redesign of most sash and jamb structures in order to accommodate the balance unit therebetween. In the present invention, two conventional balance units of identical construction are utilized in a manner to increase the spring rate or counterbalance effect applied to the sash to maintain proper positions of the same within the window casing. In extremely heavy windows, these balance units are included on either side of the window casing and are connected to each side of the sash being mounted on the respective side jamb. For windows of slightly lesser weight, the balance units may be applied to one side jamb only with an elfective increase of twice the normal counterbalance weight that is found in a conventional balance assembly and without altering the shape of the jamb or the window sash. Thus as will be seen in FIGURE 2, balance units 2.5 and 30 are mounted on one side jamb of a window casing between the flanged extremities thereof and secured thereon through suitable screw means, such as indicated at 32. The physical length of the balance units are substantially the full length or height of the jamb and the depth is such as to be substantially enclosed by the recess 35 on the side edges of the casing and the sash. The individual constructional details of each balance unit are identical and only one will be described.

These are shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 in which the balance unit is comprised of an elongated channel member 40 having an open side surface which is normally positioned against the face of the jamb casing. The bias unit is a coil spring 42 which fits within the confines of the channel member 40 and is secured thereto at one extremity through a pin 44 which is suitably connected to one extremity of the channel member by turning over or fiattening the edges of the same in a rivet type fashion, such as is indicated at 45. The opposite extremity of the coil spring 42 is connected to a floating anchor member 46 having an extremity 47 through which the free extremity of the coil spring is connected with an opening in the 3 anchor member, such as is indicated at 48, in the main portion thereof and a closed upper extremity 49 having a suitable aperture 50 therein. Positioned in the opening 48 of the floating anchor member is a grooved roller unit 55 which is journalled on a pin 56 suitably attached to the edges of the anchor member. The roller unit 55 has a plurality of pair of grooves 58 therein over which the cord of the balance unit will extend, as will be later defined. The upper extremity of the channel member mounts a fixed anchor unit or member 60 formed of a pair of parallel sides which are held together in assembled relationship by means of a pair of grooved guide members 62, 64 which are nonrotatable and suitably connected to the side plates through means (not shown) such as riveting. The lower extremity of the fixed anchor mounts a second grooved roller 65 which is rotatably mounted on a journal shaft 66 connected to the side plates by means such as riveting 68. The entire side plate assembly is connected to the channel unit 40 through a pin 70 which is anchored to the side plates by turned over portions 72 and through apertures in the side plates to anchor the plates 60 against longitudinal movement but allows slight pivotal movement or rocking movement of the same. Positioned adjacent the fixed guide members 62, 64 is a slot or aperture 75 in the back of the channel which is of such extent that the edges of the guide members extend through the same, such as will be seen 'in FIGURE A balance cord 89 is connected at one extremity through the aperture 50 of the floating anchor and is secured thereto through means such as a knot with the cord extending over the grooved surfaces 58 in the rollers 65 and 55 in an arrangement which covers 1 /2 loopswith the free extremity of the cord extending over the grooved guide member 64 and through the aperture 75 in the back of the channel member 40. The free end of the cord 89 carries a hook member 82 secured to the end of the cord by suitable means such as a knot. Cord member 80 will preferably be made of a cloth material and the rollers 55 and 65 will preferably be made of a suitable metal or plastic such as nylon. In addition, the fixed guide members 62, 64 may be made of any suitable metallic material, such as brass, and movement of the cord over the same will cause a friction drag on the movement of the cord as the spring 42 is extended or contracted.

Two such balance units are utilized in the improved heavy window balance assembly and are mounted on the side jamb 20 of the window casing which carries the movable sash 12 such that they will be positioned intermediate the recess 35 in the edge of the sash. The balance units may be mounted to the jamb through any suitable means, such as the screws 32 indicated in FIGURE 3, which extend through an aperture 85 in one extremity of the balance unit, preferably the spring extremity and a notch or grooved portion 87 in the opposite extremity, preferably that through which the cord 80 extends. The balance units are mounted in tangential or near abutting relationship 'wth the cord extremities of the same adjacent one another. The screw means 32 which extends through the grooved portions 87 in the channel member incorporates the use of a washer 88 which fits over the end of the screw and serve to hold the abutting ends of the channel members 25 and 30 in assembled and abutting relationship against the jamb. The cords 80 with the hooks 82 thereonv of the balance units extend through the recess surface 35 of the sash and attach to a foot member 90 attached to the sash. The foot member 90 is shown L-shaped in form and is attached to the base or lower surface of the sash through suitable means such as screws (not shown) with the upstanding portion having recesses 92 therein into which are positioned the hooks 82 of the respective balance units. The lowermost balance unit will be connected to the lowermost slot 92 and the upperbalance unit will be connected to the up permost slot in the foot member 90. It will be noted that the cords .80 extend between the grooved guide members 4 62, 64, and in the case of the lower balance unit 30 the cord will extend over and around the surface of the lower guide member 64 as it attaches to the lower slot in the sash. Similarly the upper balance unit will have its cord directed across the surface of both guide members 62, 64 as it connects into the upper slot of the foot members 90 of the sash. In this arrangement, the sash in the lower or closed position will conceal or cover the lower balance unit 30 and the back or closed surface of the channel member of the upper balance unit 25 will be exposed with the cord 'thereof substantially concealed by the upper edge of the frame of the sash. As the sash is displaced upwardly to open the window, the lower balance unit will be uncovered and the cords will be retracted into the respective balance units as the sash covers the exposed channel member of the upper balance unit 25. As the hooked extremities 82 in the foot member pass the apertures in the respective balance units or channel members 40 thereof, the direction of the cords will be reversed and the cord of the lower balance unit will be directed across both guide members in increased frictional relationship as the cord of the upper balance unit is directed only over the innermost guide unit 64. The friction force will be maintained substantially constant as the spring rate or tension is decreased. In the raised position of the window or sash, the minimum amount of tension will be applied to the window sash but the frictional forces imparted thereto will be suflicient to maintain the sash in a raised position. As the window or sash is moved down in its respective jam or guide surface in the window casing, tension is increased to support the weight of the window. This will provide for ease in opening of the window from the closed position. This simplified window balance assembly compensates for the increased weight of the window and where extremely heavy windows are encountered these balance units may 'be incorporated on either side of the sash in the respective jambs. By utilizing two balance units in abutting relationship, and with the frictional grooved members at the extremity of the same, the spring rate or spring force of the balance units will insure that the window sash will stay in any position without creeping. The projection of the groove guide members 62, 64 through the apertures 75 will insure that the cords thereon will 'be clear of the obstruction with the edges of the channel unit or member 40 to eliminate wear on the same and insure accurate guiding of the sash cords 80. In this improved balance unit, the spring rate or forced utilized in the balance assembly is increased without increasing the physical size of the assembly to alter conventional window constructions. Further the mounting of the balance units are such as to substantially conceal at all times the codes 80 to prevent wear on the same and exposure of such cords. This structure is simplified in design, low in cost vand is relatively maintenance free being easy to install in conventional window components.

In considering this invention, it should be remembered that the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A heavy balance assembly comprising: a pair of spring operated balance units each having a channel unit with a single coil spring positioned therein and anchored at one extremity to one end of the channel unit, a floating anchor connected to the other extremity of the coil spring and having a plural groove roller unit journalled therein, a fixed anchor positioned at the other extremity of the channel unit and connected thereto with a second plural grooved roller unit journalled therein and at least one grooved non-rotatable cylindrical guide positioned thereon, a balance cord connected to the floating anchor and wound alternately around the journalled roller units of the floating and fixed anchors in the grooves therein with the free extremity .of the cord being directed over the non-rotatable guide to slide in the groove therein and through an aperture in the channel unit opposite the open surface thereof; catch means secured to the free extremity of the balance cord and adapted to be connected to a foot member secured to the bottom side of the window sash, said pair of balance units being adapted to be mounted on one side jamb of a window casing in an end to end relationship with the extremities of the balance units having the non-rotatable guides with the cords directed over the same and the apertures in the channel units being positioned in abutting relationship.

2. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 1 in which each balance unit has two spaced non-rotatable guides between which the cord of a respective balance unit extends to place a friction drag on the cord positioned in the groove of the respective non-rotatable guides of each balance unit as the sash is displaced between opposite positions of elevation in a window casing.

3. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 2 in which each of the channel units are adapted to be mounted on a side jamb of a window casing with the closed surface thereof exposed and such that the sash overlies the balance units so that the cords thereof are substantially covered by the sash in all positions of movement of the sash.

4. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 3 in which the cords and the springs of the respective balance units are inversely extended for varying sash positions in the window casing to provide for a uniform spring bias on the sash in all positions within the window casing.

5. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 4 in which the balance units are positioned along the side jamb of the window casing such that one of the balance units is covered and the other of the balance units is substantially uncovered for one position of the sash pening and said other balance unit is covered as said one balance unit is substantially uncovered for an opposite position of the sash within the window casing.

6. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 5 and including a sash adapted to be positioned within the window casing with the sash having lintels along the side edges thereof to define a groove therebetween which is positioned over the balance units and such that the cord therefrom Will be concealed as it extends to and is connected to the sash at the foot member secured on the lower edge of the sash.

7. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 6 and including aperture means in the abutting extremities of the balance units adjacent the non-rotatable guides such that the guides extend beyond the surface of the channel unit through the aperture therein to direct the cord free of the channel unit to the foot member on the sash.

8. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 7 and including aperture means in the non-abutting extremities of the balance units to adapt the balance units to be secured to the side jamb of a window casing and groove means in the abutting extremities of the balance units to adapt said extremities to be secured to the side jamb of the window casing through a single securing means with the balance units in abutting relationship being adapted to be mounted on the side jamb of the window casing to extend substantially the full extent of movement of the sash therein.

9. The heavy window balance assembly of claim 8 and including a foot member L-shaped in form secured at the lower edge thereof to the bottom edge of the window sash within the window casing and extending at the top edge thereof along the side of the sash with spaced slots therein adapted to be connected to the cords of the balance units.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,807,548 5/1931 Quick et al 16-197 2,262,990 11/1941 Cross et al 49-445 X 3,054,152 9/1962 Trammell 49446 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primal Examiner. J. KARL BELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HEAVY BALANCE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SPRING OPERATED BALANCE UNITS EACH HAVING A CHANNEL UNIT WITH A SINGLE COIL SPRING POSITIONED THEREIN AND ANCHORED AT ONE EXTREMITY TO ONE END OF THE CHANNEL UNIT, A FLOATING ANCHOR CONNECTED TO THE OTHER EXTREMITY OF THE COIL SPRING AND HAVING A PLURAL GROOVE ROLLER UNIT JOURNALLED THEREIN, A FIXED ANCHOR POSITIONED AT THE OTHER EXTREMITY OF THE CHANNEL UNIT AND CONNECTED THERETO WITH A SECOND PLURAL GROOVED ROLLER UNIT JOURNALLED THEREIN AND AT LEAST ONE GROOVED NON-ROTATABLE CYLINDRICAL GUIDE POSITIONED THEREON, A BALANCE CORD CONNECTED TO THE FLOATING ANCHOR AND WOUND ALTERNATELY AROUND THE JOURNALLED ROLLER UNITS OF THE FLOATING AND FIXED ANCHORS IN THE GROOVES THEREIN WITH THE FREE EXTREMITY OF THE CORD BEING DIRECTED OVER THE NON-ROTATABLE GUIDE TO SLIDE IN THE GROOVE THEREIN AND THROUGH AN APERTURE IN THE CHANNEL UNIT OPPOSITE THE OPEN SURFACE THEREOF; CATCH MEANS SECURED TO THE FREE EXTREMITY OF THE BALANCE CORD AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A FOOT MEMBER SECURED TO THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE WINDOW SASH, SAID PAIR OF BALANCE UNITS BEING ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON ONE SIDE JAMB OF A WINDOW CASING IN AN END TO END RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXTREMITIES OF THE BALANCE UNITS HAVING THE NON-ROTATABLE GUIDES WITH THE CORDS DIRECTED OVER THE SAME AND THE APERTURES IN THE CHANNEL UNIT BEING POSITIONED IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP. 